Episode 200: Calm Your Mind, Nourish Your Soul: The Role of Nutrition in Anxiety Management with Dr. Uma Naidoo

Dr. Uma Naidoo, a leading expert in nutritional psychiatry, joins me for this episode of Drama-Free Healthy Living. With her warm and approachable style, Dr. Naidoo dives into the fascinating topic of nutrition and its impact on anxiety management. As the author of the highly acclaimed book, "This Is Your Brain on Food," and her latest release, "Calm Your Mind with Food: A Revolutionary Guide to Controlling Your Anxiety," Dr. Naidoo brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and practical advice to the table.

In this conversation, she delves into the connection between inflammation, gut health, and anxiety. She also shares insights on balancing leptin through diet for improved mental well-being. If you're looking for natural ways to manage anxiety and promote overall mental wellness, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready to learn from Dr. Naidoo's expertise and discover the power of mindful nutrition choices.

Michelin-starred chef David Bouley described Dr. Uma Naidoo as the world’s first “triple threat” in the food and medicine space: a Harvard trained psychiatrist, professional chef graduating with her culinary schools’ most coveted award, and a trained Nutrition Specialist. Her nexus of interests have found their niche in Nutritional Psychiatry.

 

Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the United States. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at MGH Academy while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School.

 

She was considered Harvard’s Mood Food expert and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal.

In this episode:
👉Discover the powerful connection between nutrition and anxiety management for improved mental well-being
👉Unlock the secrets of the gut-brain connection and how nurturing your gut health can positively impact your mental well-being.
👉Prioritise healthy fats to promote better mental health and overall well-being.
👉Explore how micronutrients play a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitters for effective anxiety management.
👉Embrace mindful eating and the Mediterranean principles to cultivate better mental health and overall well-being.

🌎 Connect with Dr. Uma Naidoo
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIN
TikTok

🖋️ Some key points 

(00:37) - Dr.Naidoo’s new book, 

(03:18) - relationship between nutrition and psychiatry, 

(06:12) - the impact of inflammation on the brain,
(09:06) - gut health and anxiety management,
(15:32) - eating whole foods for better mental health, 

(16:55) - magnifying micronutrients for anxiety relief, 

(17:26) - the importance of healthy fats, 

(20:57) - the mediterranean diet for mental health, 

(31:11) - the power of testing recipes, 

(32:05) - the joy of helping others, 

(33:25) - powerful testimonials, 

(34:17) - importance of self-care,

📑 The resources mentioned in this episode are

• Check out Dr. Uma Naidoo's new book, Calm Your Mind with Food: A Revolutionary Guide to Controlling Your Anxiety for expert insight and strategies on managing anxiety through nutrition.

• Explore the gut-brain connection and learn how gut health can impact anxiety management by reading Dr. Uma Naidoo's books and following her work.

• Consider incorporating more leafy greens and colorful foods into your diet to support the production of neurotransmitters and promote a healthy gut microbiome.

• Look for food sources of tryptophan beyond just turkey, such as chickpeas, to support the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.

• Dive deeper into the role of leptin in mental health and metabolic health by reading Dr. Uma Naidoo's books and staying updated on the latest research.

• Explore the connection between metabolic health and mental health and consider how lifestyle factors, including nutrition, can impact both.

• If you're looking for guidance on medication management and mental health, consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in nutritional psychiatry, like Dr. Uma Naidoo.

• Dr. Uma’s previous appearances on the podcast:
  2020: https://drama-free-healthy-living-jess-cording.libsyn.com/dr-uma-naidoo
  May 2023: https://drama-free-healthy-living-jess-cording.libsyn.com/dr-uma-naidoo-may-2023

🎤 Podcast post-production EZPZ Podcasting.